Phony Ppl are making their rounds. As part of the Recording Academy’s ReImagined series, the genre-bending band has shared a special in-studio cover of Norah Jones’ acoustic classic “Don’t Know Why.”
The black-and-white set is pleasing to the ear, with vocalist Elbee Thrie demonstrating his impressive gifts as a performer.
“Don’t Know Why” was featured on Jones’ acclaimed 2002 debut album, Come Away With Me. The track won several awards, including Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 45th Grammy Awards in 2003.
Shifting back to Phony Ppl, the cinque are riding high on the success of their current single “Nowhere But Up.” The catchy song, produced by Ivan Barias, became their second top-ten single on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart in January. It’s now No. 2 on that list as well as R&B radio.
“Nowhere But Up” is among the multiple songs released ahead of Phony Ppl’s third album, Euphonyus.
About the track, Thrie said, “‘Nowhere But Up’ is exactly where Phony Ppl’s is headed; and for the song… this colorful demonstration of a sexy sweat seductive chase, forces your body to move and groove sooo good, that you might just have to run-it-back when it ends.”

Euphonyus was released last November on 300 Entertainment. The 12-song album included its previous singles, “Fkn Around” featuring Megan Thee Stallion and “Dialtone.”
In addition to Megan, JoJo, Leon Thomas and The Soul Rebels appear on Euphonyus. The album was named one of Rated R&B’s 30 Best R&B Albums of 2022.
On May 6, Phony Ppl will perform at the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis, Tennessee. Afterward, they’ll head North for the Governors Ball Music Festival. The three-day event is set to take place June 9 through June 11 at Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, New York.
Check out Phony Ppl’s cover of “Don’t Know Why” below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rfRxTVDNTiQ